Active inventory across the U.S. is ticking up—late Q3 2026 saw a 5.6% increase in active listings, marking the third consecutive month of faster annual growth. For buyers, this gradual build in supply brings a bit more negotiating power to the table. Just a few months earlier, in late Q2, annual growth had slowed to about 2%, a far cry from the nearly 17% pace we saw the previous year. Even so, national inventory remains just below pre-pandemic levels: roughly 1.16 million active listings, which is about 5% shy of the 2019 benchmark.
With mortgage rates and long-term yields sitting at two-year highs and the market moving into its slower season, demand has softened, giving buyers a little more room to maneuver. For those looking to make sense of what this means for your local market—especially here in the Augusta area—I always recommend comparing current active listings per 1,000 households to the 2018–2019 averages. This gives a clear picture of whether supply has truly rebounded above pre-pandemic norms, helping you make informed decisions with confidence and clarity. As always, my goal is to provide tailored insight so you can navigate these shifts strategically, whether you're buying, selling, or investing.
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